Naomi Girma Thrills Fans with 2 Goals as Lindsey Horan, USWNT Win vs. Argentina

Not all braces are created equally.

USWNT star defender Naomi Girma has become a fixture in the team's starting 11 and is one of the best defenders in the sport, but despite that fact had never scored an international goal. That came to an end on Wednesday night.

The American star scored not one, but two goals in the USWNT's 3-0 drubbing of Argentina.

An Aldana Cometti own-goal provided the game's remaining tally.

Yes, Girma's first goal was aided by a clear miscommunication between Argentina goalkeeper Solana Pereyra and one of her defenders. The second goal was pure class, however, and USWNT fans and pundits alike were thrilled to see Girma open her international account and double it in the same evening, especially in the wake of her Ballon d'Or snub:

Girma is arguably the best center-back the women's game has to offer and helped lead the USWNT to a gold medal this summer, so eyebrows were raised around the sport when she wasn't even named to the Ballon d'Or shortlist of 30 nominees for the women's player of the year award.

USWNT head coach Emma Hayes—who said in August that Girma is "the best defender I've ever seen" in August—referenced the snub on Tuesday while speaking on the Ballon d'Or ceremony and the women's game in general.

"Yes, we could sit here all day and say Girma should be there—which she should—so for that reason, we're still not getting all of those things right in the women's game," she told reporters. "But recognizing the talent of our players on the world stage is something that I know our players are extremely proud of, so really good all round for us."

Hayes won the inaugural Ballon d'Or for best women's coach, while five USWNT players—forward Sophia Smith (fourth in the voting), midfielder Lindsey Horan (fifth), forward Mallory Swanson (sixth), forward Trinity Rodman (ninth) and goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher (17th)—were on the shortlist of 30 nominees. Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí won the award for the second straight year.

Girma was undoubtedly snubbed. She had her own unique response to that disrespect on Wednesday night with her impressive brace.